The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1887-09-29
BONNIE SCOTLAND.
homtWard Bound Reverend Simpson
Calico Printing,
Estsblishsd and Dissenting PresbyteFisn
{ Bodies--Losh Lomond and Lake Kat
trins and tho MaegregOr'-The In
terpatioal X Exhibition at Glasgow.

FurDessia sailed for New York, taking |
back several who came over when we |
were passengers. Among those were
"Gath," George Alfred Townsend, of the |
Enquirer, and Mr.. James Russell and
daughter of Boston, Massachusetts. Mr.,
Russell was born and grew up in Hamil-
ton, leaving it when young man. He
IS in the boiler making business in Bos-
ton. May they all have pleasant voy-
age and safe return.
With his usual energy, of the Stanley
kind, Cath" no doubt, has travelled far
and seen much and will give it in the
Enquirer in his usual interesting and at
tractive style. He ia a wonder in his
way, and genial gentleman.
Through Mr.. A. X. Weir, of the Turner
Worsted Mills, of Kent, a distant
relative, as Scott says in Rob Roy,
about Rob and Bailie Nicol Jar
vie, through the auld wife ayont the fire
that mingled our bluids," l got kind
invitation from Rev. William Simpson,
minister of the established church at
Alexandria, to visit the mause. Accord
ingly last Thursday, August oath, took
boat to Craigendoran, thence by car to
Dumbarton, and thence by train up the
Leven, 50 miles, to Alexandria, the great
calico printing town of Scotland.
Soon finding the mause l was most
cordially received and Hospitality enter
tanned throughout. Mrs. Sim pson is a
relative of Mr.. Weir, and had much sat
isfaction in hearing what l had to say of
her relative and ours in our far off land.
They have occupied the mause for ten
years, being Mr.. SIMPSONS second
charge. The church is large and learn
ed was well filled every Sabbath. The
mause, as they call the minister's resi-
dence, is large fine stone edifce, and
well furnished. They are blessed with
several fine children, whose education ia
being duly attended to. Among the
Scotch education is by no means neglect
ed, and the religious part of it must be
included. The glebe, or land attached
to the mause, is several acres, extending
down to the beautiful Leven water,
which is plainly seen. The church edi-
flee is on the grounds with the grave
yard adjoining.
After midday lunch Mr.. Simpson en-.
quired if had ever seen calico printing.
On saying l had not, but would much
like to, we were soon on the way and on
reaching the Office of the smallest of the
four establishments, a son of the mana
ger, Mr.. McFarlane, took us through,
explaining the various processes, which
were all new to this individual, and
indeed was matter of great interest.
This establishment was running on
handkerchiefs and such small fabrics for
the India and African trade. They take
the plain cotton, or muslin and make it
| into beautiful dressed goods, in every
| shape, Many are the machines and the
chemical processes used.
The second one visited was engaged
in making prints of a higher order
and a fine quality. In their
engraving room there must have been
thirty or more engaged on brass cylin-
\ ders, preparing them for use: for with
these the printing is done, and done rap
| idly; the cloth going round and through
the machines in a continuous roll, the
cylinder constantly revolving in the ink
and against the large cylinder between
which runs the cloth. OF course it was
interesting to one who knew something
of printing papers and books, but little
or nothing of printing calico.
Alexandria is united by bridge over
| the Leven to Renton, in the latter of
which are the print works, which employ
over 5000 hands. In crossing the bridge
with Mr.. Simpson, l offered to pay his
toll, a h'penny, but the toll man said no,
and Mr.. S. said clergymen were free,
this having been placed in the charter.
Here is an obelisk to the memory of
Tobias Smollett, the novelist, who was
born in the neighborhood in 1921. The
Leven, that empties into Loch Lomond
only five miles up, is here deep, smooth
and silent, with level, green banks most
beautiful to see. Smollett wrote of it:
Pure stream, in whose transparent wave
My youthful limbs used to lave,
No torrent stains thy limpid source,
No rocks impede thy dimpling course,
| Vnat sMeetly MARBLES Ger its bed
With white round polished pebbles spread.
l profted much from Mr.. Simpsons
| conversation, learning great deal to me
| unk nown, as to the past and present
prospects of the Scottish Church. The
great secession from the establishment
thirty or forty years ago, formed
the Free Church of Scotland, and
was in consequence of what is known
as patronage" that is that the lords of
the manor had the appointment of the
clergy in their hands. This, however,
has been abolished, and the great ex-
| element caused by the secession has
subsidized. The different Presbyterian
bodies are now at peace with one another
and in good accord. Popular sentiment
at the time of the secession ran strong
against the established kirk, and the
ministers thereof had a serious time.
This has passed away, and the old body
has been and is gaining rapidly in men,
bership and popularity. This is admit.
ted on all hands. Mr.. Simpson has
written considerably on church matters,
and is matter-of fact man.
All this kept us up till after 12 mid
night, but 1 was up in season to get
breakfast, resume and continue CONVEX
sation till 101s a. m, when my train for
Balloch on Loch Lomond was on time,
on which were Mr.. Leggate and son, and
we were soon looking over the Loeb
from the steamer, that soon started on
its way up.
Loeb Lomond is the pride of Scottish
lakes, and istwenty-th milesin length
and five miles at its greatest width, con
tanning 10000 acres. In its northern
part it ranges fiom 800 to 600 feet deep,
being much less at the southern extrem-
ity. The lower end is twenty miles
from Glasgow and six from Dumbarton,
where the Leven empties into the Clyde.
In the Loeb are over twenty islands,
the largest of which is Inch Murrin, kept
as deer park by the Duke of Montrose.
Not far above is Inch Caillach, (the is
land of women) so called from having
been the site Of nursery, where form
erly was the burial ground of the Mac
gregors, and where are yet several mon
uments of chiefs.
I'LL. ALBANIAN ntnr,.nL nt thn ..in. &c